June 18, 2012


Hi everyone

Today is my 5 month mark....that's crazy. I still feel like a brand
new missionary. Time is moving quickly. Hopefully everyone had a good
fathers day! It's a special day! Elder White and I have had a good
week. Things are moving along in Preston.

We had Preston Stake conference yesterday and it was really good.
Elder Marlin K. Jenson of the Seventy was there and spoke. He was
realy good! General Authorities are on a whole other level it seems
like. I learned a lot from what he said.

Nothing really excitign happened this week. We had our zone conference
on Wednesday. I got to see Elder Corbin and he is doing really well.
It seems like it was so long ago that we were back in Stockport. Those
were good times. I also have been Enjoying a wonderful package that
Mom and Dad sent. The Candy is alredy pretty much gone! I really
appreciated it though. Packages and letters make a missionaries day,
especially when the day gets rough.

We now have a few investigators who we are seeing quite regularly. Our
first is King(chineese). He is dated for the baptism of July 7th and
should have no problem making it for that day. He is a student at the
University in Preston. The only probleme is he's not sure if he is
going back to China at the end of June, or the end of July for the
summer.

We also have been teaching Jacky and Rose(chineese, and married!).
I've been able to speak a lot of chineese. It's pretty funny because I
sound ridiculous when I speak it. They just laugh at me. Jacky and
Rose are very prepared to learn about God. It's very different
teaching people who have no concept of God. It's been a learnig
experiece for me.

We've also been seeing Simon. He is...interesting haha. He says the
craziest things that have nothing to do with what we're talking about.
He thinks he's that head of a world-wide organization called "World
Community" where he makes laws that the entire world obeys. He calls
himself the Ultimate Supreme Governer(USG). haha. Sometimes i have to
put my head down in lessons bacause I can't control the laughter. In
one of his prayers he just started going off about random things and
starting talking about the Greek god Mercury, then he closed the
prayer in the name of Mercury. I had no idea how to react to that.
haha. In his last prayer he closed in the name of "the people" so he's
showing improvement.

Other than that it's been a whole lot of time trying to find people.
It's been far from easy. We've had some pretty long days. In the
pouring rain all day long trying to knock doors. It's been a bit of a
trial and test of faith at times but we just keep moving forward. This
next coming week will be a good one.

Hopefully everyone has a good upcoming week. You'll probably be
enjoying the warm weather. It's about the same as it's always been
here, very wet. ahha. I Hope to speak to everyone soon. I lvoe you!

Love Elder Ford


Pictures
1-3) Our extremelly small flat. Not nearly as nice as Stockport.
4) 3 generations of missionaries Elder Corbin(my father/trainer), and
Elder Eliason(My grandfather/ Elder Corbin's trainer). We have a good
bloodline.

Jun 11, 2012


Hello eveyone.

Hopefully you've all had a good week. Things are starting to pick up
here in Preston. We're just starting to figure out where everything is
so we don't feel as lost anymore.

It has been raining the entire weekend, harder than I've ever seen
before. We've come home every single night soaking wet a freezing
cold. The things you put up with as a missionary haha. My shoes are
already done. The insides are ripped to pieces so i'm going to have to
go look for some new ones today. 5 months out and already needing new
shoes!

We had our first church meeting in Preston yesterday. I was shocked at
how small the ward was. Only about 40 people. The chapel didn't have
benches, only fold up chairs. I've never been in a ward so small in my
life. It was a really odd experience. It's definantly not the same as
back home.

Our hard work has paid off though. We were blessed with 3 new
investigators. Simon who we've met with twice. Also Jacky, and Rose.
They are two chineese students. Preston is usually a Chineese speaking
missionary area so there are a ton of Chineese students at the
University here. I'm going to have to pick up some chineese quick.

Luckily Elder White served with a Chineese companion for two transfers
so he knows a bit. We basically just hunt for people for different
countries. He goes after chineese and I go after africans. I've
learned a bit if Yoruba(tribal language in Nigeria) and there are a
lot of people who are Yoruba. They go crazy when you start speaking to
them in their language. Instant appointment. haha. We're learning a
bit of polish as well!

Hopefully everyone has a good week! Keep praying for the people here
in Preston. We need some miracles! Love you all!

Love, Elder Ford

June 7, 2012


Hello everybody!

Transfers have come and gone and I'm in a new area with a new
companion. My new area is....Preston! I'm very excited to be here.
It's a little bit of a different feel to Stockport. It feels a little
bit more like a home town, Stockport was very busy.

There is a lot of history here in Preston. This is where the 1st
missionaries spent most of there time, where the first convery baptism
where in europe in the River Ribble, and where Pres. Hinckley served
part of his mission and wrote that famous letter home to his dad. It's
extremelly humbling to be here where so many other legendary
missionaries have been.

My new companion is Elder White from Holladay, Utah. We're white
washing this area, which means we're both replaceing to other
missionaries. Neither of us know the area at all. We're completely
lost and have no idea where to go! haha It's an adventure. We weren't
left with anyone to teach so we'll basically be building from the
ground up. It's going to be a real challenge but i'm looking forward
to it. It'll be a big change, but a change for the best. "Change is
the essence of life. Be ready to surrender who you are now, for who
you can become". I'm trying to live by that out here.

It was pretty tough leaving Stockport. There was so many amazing
memories made there. It's where i spent the 1st for months of my new
life, my birth place. haha. I'm very grateful for my time there and it
will be something i will always remember. Coming to a new area feels
almost like starting a mission all over again. I feel like a new
missionary, completely lost. It's weird but it is an amazing feeling.
I can feel the growth and miracles coming. I'm coming into this
transfer expecting miracles. Good things are coming in Preston!

We've already been face with a for of oppostion. Our new flat is
pretty bad. haha. The beds are hard and uncomfortable, our study desk
is tiny, our shower only does cold water but it actually broke this
morning(shower head fell apart) so now we just basically have a hose.
haha I love it! We've just been laughing our way through it.

From what i've heard we'll be teaching a lot of chineese people.
Preston has a pretty big university and teh chineese population is
pretty large. Luckily, Elder White served in Liverpool and knows a bit
of chineese. We've got a chineese dictionary on the way!

I've really learned the importance of understanding other Cultures. In
Stockport, I really got to know a lot of the African culture,
especially the people from Nigeria(Yoruba tribe). People can not have
any interest in what you say, then you speak to them in their language
and the walls are torn down. Then you tell them that you have a book
of mormom in their language and they go crazy. haha. I've picked up a
little bit of Youruba and I'm looking forward to picking up some
Chineese.

Hopefully everyone has had an amazing week. I'll speak to everyone
again on Monday.

My new address is
Flat 1
67 Wellington Street
Preston
PR1 8TQ
England

Love you all!

Elder Ford

Pictures:
1. Stockport District at the Toby Carvery
2. Knickerbocker Glory!
3. Elder Thomas and his brand new trainee who he'll be training in Stockport
4. 2nd tallest spire in England (in preston)
5. cobblestone street our side our new home
6. The old church outside our flat.

May 28, 2012



Hello everyone



Hopefully everyone has had a good Memorial day weekend because I totally forgot all about it. Sounds like the weather hasn't been too great though.


It's been really warm here, too warm. It's a completely different kind of heat. I walk outside and I'm sweating like crazy. It's been nothing but sunshine for over a week. That must be some sort of record or something. Someone from England told me a joke, they said "I remember summer last year. I think it was on a Wednesday." haha It'll probably be snowing tomorrow, you can never predict the weather here.


This week has been really difficult. We've just been a really bad slump. Some sad news, we lost Gerald...again. He just randomly told us that he didn't want to meet with us anymore and that he wasn't coming to church. It was pretty heart breaking. It's been extremely frustrating these past few weeks. Everything is just piling on top of each other. We've got nothing right now. We spend most of our time trying to find people to teach.


Transfers are coming up next Wednesday! It's gone by quick. I'll most likely be leaving Stockport for somewhere else. It's weird to think about. It could be anywhere with anyone. Change is a good think though. It allows us to grow which is something I feel like i haven't been doing a lot of lately. Things need to change.


This weekend i had the chance to go on exchange with Elder Herrin who is the new District Leader since Elder Corbin left. It was the third exchange with him. We have a lot of fun together. He really knows how to make the work fun, something I'm lacking right now. It was a good learning experience.


I've been studying like crazy these last few months. I feel like my knowledge of the Gospel and the scriptures has improved dramatically. I love study! Here is something I found by President Eyring.


The fellowship of the unashamed


I am part of the Fellowship Of The Unashamed.


The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made.


I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.


I won't look back, let up, slow down, or be still.


My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.


I am finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.


I no longer need pre-eminence, positions, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.


I don't have to be right, first, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded.


I now live by faith, lean on his presence, walk with patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power.


My face is set, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear.


I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided or delayed.


I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.


I won't give up, shut up, or let up until i have stayed up, stored up, and paid up for the cause of Christ.


I must go till he comes, give till i drop, preach till I know, and work until he stops me.


And when he returns for his own, he will have no problem recognizing me.


MY BANNER WILL BE CLEAR!


- Henry B. Eyring




This church is true! I love you all so much. I'll talk to you on Wednesday or Thursday. Probably from a new area!


Love Elder Ford


Pictures:
1. Stockport district 2.0. (with president and sister preston)
2. Stockport bridge.
3. Macnchester City Football Club logo. ( we went to the team shop)
4. Denby lane! We walk down it almost daily!
5. Walking down Denby lane.

May 21st Grandma Johnson Passed Away

Hello everyone.

I got the news that Grandma Johnson passed away and it sound like everyone has had a pretty rough week. I got a feeling on Friday night that she had passed away, kinda weird, so I wasn't too surprised to find out. I hope everyone is doing a little better and that her funeral arrangements go smoothly. It sounds like she went peacefully and wasn't in too much pain. It also sounds like she was ready to go as well and she showed tremendous courage. She was such a good example to all of us. It's times like these when we have to be so grateful for the gospel, to be able to know that this life isn't the end brings so much comfort. It's good to know that she's been re-united with Grandpa again. Thank goodness for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Things have been going pretty good here. It's hard to believe that it's already been four months since leaving home. Time is flying by. they compare it with a roll of toilet paper. It starts off slow then starts rolling faster and faster. This transfer is already half over! 2 more weeks and I'll probably be in a new area! crazy crazy.

Gerald is progressing very well. We've had a few very good lessons with him in members homes. He loves the people in the ward. That'll be the biggest aspect of his conversion, the people showing him love. It's something that's very different about our church. He has been reading the Book Of Mormon....a lot. He read all of 1 Nephi in one night! I was shocked. We're really focusing on him gaining a spiritual confirmation to know that it's true. He's still going to have to overcome his strong Catholic upbringing and I think that it will come over time. He's dated for baptism on June 9th so we'll be pushing for that day.

The week went pretty well. I went on an exchange with Elder Saunders this weekend. We had the chance to attend a baptism of one of an investigator in one of his previous areas. It was an odd service. The water was filled up all the was so Elder Saunders had to kneel down and the person being baptized had to sit. It was interesting to see. haha. We got a ride back to Stockport from President Preston and it was nice to be able to chat with him for about an hour.

Funny experience, Elder Thomas and I were looking for the address of a less active member and we ended up in a market in town center. Someone yelled to come over. It was a crazy Gypsy lady who said that she was a member of the church. I was laughing so hard inside because back home we always used to joke about gypsies but it never occurred to me that they were real. haha. She was selling all of her goods on a little table. It was an experience to remember for sure.

I also got to eat more African food this week! It's soooo good. African dining is so different the English. In an English home you use a fork and knife and sit up straight, when you eat African food you eat with you hands. It makes eating fun. ahah. We had fufu(kind of like mashed potatoes) that you dipped in a spicy sauce. We also had pepe soup but it was way too spicy for me. I took one sip and was coughing and crying so hard. It was a good time though.

Everything is going well here and we're looking forward to the coming week. Can't wait to hear from you all soon.

Love Elder Ford

May 9th Life with Elder Thomas

Hey everybody!

Sorry I didn't email on Monday. It was a bank holiday and everything was shut down for the day. Bank holidays are basically a day of for everyone for no specific reason, pretty lame. haha. Hopefully everything is going well for everyone.

Everything is going good for Elder Thomas and I. We're already getting used to each others personality and teaching style. It should be a really good transfer. We're pretty much starting fresh and focusing the majority of our time finding people. We've had a little bit of a drop off of people to teach in the last few weeks so We're going all over the place to try and find people. We even got kicked of a bus the other day for speaking to people. haha. It happens all the time. Some people just get so upset.

We've got a lot of good people that have a lot of potential to be really solid investigators but it's just a matter of finding a time to teach them. We're doing our best so it will all work out. This transfer is going to fly by, especially since it's only a 5 week transfer. That will probably be the end of my stay in Stockport. It'll be pretty weird moving into another area. Just when you get comfortable somewhere you move! haha That's missionary life, you're never comfortable. It can be the most uncomfortable thing sometimes just moving from seat to seat on the bus speaking to people. The person you'll try and speak to next already overheard what you were saying to the person before so they know you're coming for them. Sometimes it can be a pretty funny situation.

I got the news that Grandma isn't doing to good. Hopefully everything will be o.k. She's been in my prayers every night and it's good to know she's getting support from everyone.

Other than that not too much is different here. We had our mission wide sports day yesterday. We all gathered at the stake center and played sports all day long. it was so much fun. Playing American football and basketball. I was pretty rusty and our of shape though. It was frustrating haha. Elder Thomas and I are so sore today from it. haha Feels like i was hit with a hammer. I probably should start working out a little harder in the morning. haha it's been a struggle without the gym pass though. However the weight continues to fall off. Total weight loss, 23 pounds! I'm in danger of breaking into the 190's. Crazy! It's probably just the lack of fast food in my diet, something I plan on doing a lot of when i get home. Fast food is amazing.

I'm looking forward to speaking with the family on Saturday! It'll be interesting to be able to skype. Just email the Forsyths if you have any questions. It'll be best if you have a list of questions you want answered and I'll do my best to answer them.

Hopefully everyone has a good week. You'll be in my prayers. I miss you all but I'll speak to you soon. Love you all!!!

Love Elder Ford.  

Scripture of the week. Alma 5: 14, 26. The need for constant conversion.

Pictures:

1. The Manchester United jerseys. Looks like it should be framed

2. Shooting some hoops on p-day at the park.

3. Companion Unity

4. Stockport district 2.0

May 3rd Two Transfers Down

Hello everyone,

Two transfers are already gone. It's crazy! Time is flying by so quickly! I'm officially a trained missionary. haha. crazy crazy

I'll be staying in Stockport this next transfer. No surprised there. Elder Corbin is headed off to Bolton. He was pretty excited. My new companion is.....(drumroll) Elder Thomas. He's amazing. He's a professional soccer player from Belgium and a convert to the church. He played for the Belgium national team, then was taught and baptized by missionaries then a year later he was on a mission. He is going to teach me so much.

I'm taking this as a sign that i need to start enjoying soccer.ahah. He's going to need to teach me how to play. I also bought a Man. United jersey last week with my name and number on the back. haha. It looks quite i nice if i do say so myself.

It's going to be a little weird adjusting to a new companion but it'll be a really good learning experience. I'll be able to see how other missionaries are successful and learn from them.

Sadly I'll probably be leaving Stockport after this transfer. It's only a five week transfer this time as well so it'll go by very quickly. I could easily stay in Stockport for another transfer but I'll go where I'm called. I'll try and get some good pictures to send on Monday.

Other than that nothing much is new. Elder Thomas and I are just going to work hard to find, teach and baptize. That's what we do!!! haha.

I hope everyone has had a good week. I'll be emailing again on Monday.

Love you all

Love Elder Ford